No deal on Ukraine aid? Then no deal on EU budget, Merz says

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1. 1h ago

   Merz links Ukraine aid to EU budget, threatens block unless all states contribute

   German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has demanded that Ukraine funding be included in the EU's seven-year budget and warned Germany may block the entire budget unless every member state contributes. Four countries—Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic—are identified as holdouts. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has accused Merz of blackmail. Ireland has called for Ukraine funding to be central to the budget. Merz also wants the issue moved up the EU summit agenda. No agreement has been reached, and the budget dispute remains unresolved ahead of the summit.

   Why it matters

   The EU is negotiating its multiannual financial framework, which sets long-term spending priorities across member states. Ukraine aid has become a flashpoint as some governments resist making contributions mandatory or linking military support to the budget. Germany's position as the EU's largest economy gives its veto threat substantial weight, raising the prospect of a stalemate that could delay both budget approval and future assistance to Kyiv.

   What is confirmed

   • German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Germany may block the EU budget unless all member states agree to fund Ukraine.
   • Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic are the four holdout countries resisting the funding demand.
   • Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico accused Merz of blackmail over the Ukraine aid demand.
   • Ireland called for Ukraine funding to be central to the EU's seven-year budget.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Merz will follow through on the threat and block the EU budget at the upcoming summit.

   What to watch next

   • The EU summit vote on the seven-year budget and whether the four holdout countries agree to Ukraine funding.
   Sources used for this update (17)

   1. nationalinterest.org — National Security, Foreign Policy & Politics News - The National Interest
   2. www.straitstimes.com — Oil edges lower following three days of gains
   3. www.theguardian.com — AI godfather Geoffrey Hinton: ‘We’re creating alien beings. I’m willing to be selfish and choose humans’ | Donald Trump
   4. www.euronews.com — French debt | Euronews
   5. Financial Times — Germany issues ultimatum to secure Ukraine funding
   6. Odessa Journal — Ireland Calls for Ukraine Funding to Be Central to EU's Seven-Year Budget - Oj
   7. Euronews.com — No deal on Ukraine aid? Then no deal on EU budget, Merz says
   8. Bloomberg.com — Merz Says Germany May Block EU Budget Over Ukraine Funding
   9. Kyiv Post — Merz Threatens to Block EU Budget Unless Every Member Helps Fund Ukraine
   10. Yahoo — German chancellor warns he will block EU budget unless all member states agree to fund Ukraine
   11. Meduza — German Chancellor Merz threatens to block EU budget unless four holdouts — Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and the Czech Republic — commit to funding Ukraine
   12. Yahoo — Germany's Merz wants Ukraine aid pushed up EU summit agenda
   confidence 90%